Naseem Shah was one of the most anticipated players in the lead-up to the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, but a shoulder injury has ruled him out of the tournament. The 20-year-old fast bowler has been one of Pakistan’s most impressive players in recent years, and his absence will be a major blow to the team’s chances of winning the World Cup.
Shah sustained the injury during Pakistan’s Super Four match against India in the Asia Cup. He was forced to leave the field after bowling just three overs, and scans later revealed a shoulder tear. Shah is expected to be out of action for at least six months. This means that he will also miss Pakistan’s home Test series against England in December.
Shah’s exclusion from the World Cup squad is a significant setback for Pakistan. He is a genuine wicket-taker who can bowl at speeds of over 150 km/h. He is also an excellent fielder. And he would have been a valuable asset to the team in the World Cup.
Naseem Shah absence will have a significant impact on Pakistan’s bowling strategy. He is a bowler who can be used in all phases of an inning. He can bowl new balls, middle overs, and death overs. His absence means that Pakistan will now have to use their other bowlers more strategically.
For example, Pakistan will now have to rely more on Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf for the new ball. These two bowlers are among the best in the world. But they will need to be at their best in the World Cup.
Pakistan will also need to use Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim more effectively in the middle overs. These two bowlers are not as consistent as Afridi and Rauf, but they can still be effective on their day.
Pakistan will also miss Shah’s versatility in the death overs. He is a bowler who can bowl yorkers, slower bouncers, and other variations. His absence means that Pakistan will now have to rely more on their other bowlers to bowl in the death overs.
Despite Shah’s absence, Pakistan still has a strong bowling attack. However, they will need to rely more on their other bowlers to step up and fill the void left by his absence.
In addition to the impact on Pakistan’s bowling strategy, Shah’s exclusion will also affect the team’s overall chances of winning the World Cup. Pakistan are still a very good team. But they will now have to rely more on their other players to step up.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan must lead from the front with the bat. They will also need support from the other batsmen, such as Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, and Shadab Khan.
Pakistan’s bowlers will also need to be at their best. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will need to take wickets regularly, and Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim will need to provide support.
If Pakistan can play to their potential, they will still have a good chance of winning the World Cup, despite Shah’s absence. However, they will need to rely more on their other players to step up and fill the void left by his absence.